Families of babies who were cared for at UHL’s neonatal units (NNU) have helped to raise funds for new developmental positioning equipment, to support our tiniest patients.
Thanks to a £7,000 donation from generous supporters of Leicester Hospitals Charity, each cot at the units at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the Leicester General Hospital has been supplied with a new positioning kit. The new resources – including positioning aids, pillows and covers to support skin to skin – will help to ensure optimal positioning for pre-term babies on NNU, supporting their physiological stability and long term neurodevelopmental outcomes by helping them to feel more comfortable and secure.
The initiative is part of a quality improvement project run by Neonatal Occupational Therapist, Rakhee Mandalia and Neonatal Physiotherapist, Katrina Bisby. Following an audit process, Rakhee and Katrina identified developmental positioning as a priority area, with the aim of improving positioning practices and equipment across the units.
Natalie, mum to Reggie, was among those who were keen to support the project following a recent stay at the NNU. Natalie said: “When Reggie was born, he struggled with his breathing and needed a lot of support. He couldn’t stay on his back, as his breathing would change, so they had to use positioning aids to keep him on his front or side. He also had problems with his neck movement, so the physiotherapy, occupational therapy and equipment really helped with that.
“We supported this project because Reggie needed that help, and so do many other babies. Seeing the unit now with more equipment and better support is really nice, and that’s why we wanted to help.”
Clinical Specialist Neonatal Physiotherapist, Katrina Bisby, said: “We’re incredibly proud of this project, which began as a quality improvement initiative when we took up our posts on the neonatal units two years ago. Our aim has been to enhance positioning practices and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes for babies.
“Positioning is a vital part of neonatal care, supporting development, comfort, and overall stability for babies at their most vulnerable. These new aids will support both our colleagues and families, strengthen Family Integrated Care, and help improve outcomes for pre-term and vulnerable infants.”
Clinical Specialist Neonatal Occupational Therapist, Rakhee Mandalia, said: “We began this project with the aim of improving positioning practices and equipment on our units, and several families have very kindly supported our efforts. Through the funds raised and work with our colleagues, we have focused on embedding safer, more consistent developmental positioning practises for the infants we care for.”